BULLETIN 



HE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 



NO. 224 



FOUR TIMES A MONTH 



GENERAL SERIES 24 



MARCH 22, 1912 



A PROBLEM IN THE USE OF PARALLEL SOURCE 
MATERIAL IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY 

THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM IN 1099 

FREDERIC DUNCALF, Ph. D. 

Instructor in Medieral History 
The University of Texas 




PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 

AUSTIN TEXAS 

Entered as seoond-cla&s mail matter at the poatoffice at Auitin, Texai 



iioMfrapi 



474-312-15h-1095 



BULLETIN 



THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 

NO. 224 

FOUR TIMES A MONTH 

GENERAL SERIES 24 MARCH 22, 1912 

A PROBLEM IN THE USE OF PARALLEL SOURCE 
MATERIAL IN MEDIEVAL HISTORY 

THE CAP TV RE OF JERUSALEM IN 1099 

BY 

FREDERIC DONCALF, Ph. D, 
il 

Instructor in Medieral History 
The University of Texas 




PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 

AUSTIN. TEXAS 

Entered as second-class mail matter at the postoffice at Austin, Texas 



A^ 



V 



Cultivated iniud is the guardian 
genius of democracy ... It 
is the only dictator that freemen 
acknowledge and the only security 
that freemen desire. 

President Mirabeau B. Lamar. 



A PROBLEM IN THE USE OF PARALLEL SOURCE MA- 
TERIAL IX MEDIEVAL HISTORY 

INTRODUCTION 
I. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BULLETIN 

The purpose of tins bulletin is to present an experimental 
source problem, in the hope that it may contain a practical 
basis for the selection and use of source material in secondary 
history teaching. A great deal has been said, first and last, 
about the benefits that can be obtained by source work, and in 
general there is agreement that it should make high school 
history teaching more interesting and more effective. In prac- 
tice, however, there is much doubt as to the general success of 
the pre-ent use of sources. It would seem that the present diffi- 
culty is the lack of source books that i)resent material arranged 
in such form that satisfactory results can be obtained without 
too great effort on the part of both teacher and student. ]Many 
teachers are making eti'ective . use of source material, but to a 
great extent their success is the result of their own individ- 
ual methods and experience. As source books are commonly 
arranged, too much time must be consumed by the teachers in 
giving the student a suitable background and in working out 
details with the thoroughness that is necessary, to justify the 
results gained from such supplementary work. If the results that 
can be obtained from source work have not been over-rated, it 
would seem that the necessary helps and equipment should be 
provided, so that every history teacher may use source material 
to greater advantage than is now possible. 

Tlie amount of time that should be spent in source work 
can not be definitely determined. In the course on Medieval 
and Modern history, which is commonly given in the first and 
second years of the high school, other phases of history work 
certainly deserve far more attention than the extended use of 
source material. However, the second year student ought to 
have a taste of such supplementary work. If he can be inter- 
ested by the use of source extracts, he will gain a fresher and 
more real insight into the past life that he is studying th&n can 
be obtained from text or secondary books. Certainly he should 
do some comparative and critical work and should be taught 
to exercise his judgment. This ti'ainiug can best be obtained by 



4 The University of Texas Bulletin 

the use of problems selected from source extracts. It would 
seem that the teacher with limited time and immature second 
year students, who have not advanced far in their history work, 
could obtain better results by deliberate concentration in source 
work than by attempting to use a series of documents that cover 
every phase of European history. Inasmuch as the use of 
even a selected number of the disconnected extracts in the 
average source book now on the market necessarily means su- 
perficial treatment, it seems far more practical deliberately to 
use only three or four source problems, giving enongh time to 
each to make the work thorough and intensive. By such a plan, 
the student certainly ought to gain more valuable training and 
should have the satisfaction of really understanding the ma- 
terial on which he has been working. 

The average secondary history teacher covers the entire field 
of history from x\ncient to American and, no matter how well 
trained, can not be expected to be suifieiently familiar with the 
sources or even with the best secondary material of every field 
to interpret satisfactorily an isolated source extract. The best 
use of source material often depends on the ability of the 
teacher to point out the importance of significant details and 
such appreciation can not be gained without study and a knowl- 
edge of other contemporary source material. Under such cir- 
cumstances, it is not to be exi)ected that the teacher should be- 
able to use many extracts effectively, especially isolated docu- 
ments. On the other hand, if the teacher is provided with three 
or four exercises, each consisting of parallel extracts, and 
equipped with sufficient helps, it will be possible to become fa- 
miliar enough with each problem to make it both interesting and 
profitable. 

Certain definite results can reasonably be expected of such a 
method of source work. By using parallel extracts the stu- 
dent can be given small problems that will call for the practice 
of his ingenuity and judgment. In searching for information 
about a particular point, he will find confiicting statements and 
differences in the point of view that will call for the exercise of 
some critical ability. He will learn that there is often room for 
doubt about historical facts that some secondary books may 
regard as definitelv established. Valuable lessons will be learned 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 5 

about the importance of cautiously forming opinions of his own 
on other than historical questions. In a mild way, the stu- 
dent can be initiated into the more intensive form of historical 
method. 

Such intensive study of parallel extracts should lead to a 
keener appreciation of the life and character of the people of 
the past. Students can be encouraged to look for incidents that 
reveal what manner of men lived centuries ago and they will 
thus acquire a more intimate knowledge as well as a more sym- 
pathetic point of view than the text-book can furnish. It can 
be brought home by such intensive source work that these peo- 
ple had hopes and ambitions, weaknesses and frailties very like 
human beings of today. One of the important results that the 
study of history should produce is the development of a ca- 
pacity to appreciate the point of view of another person or of a 
different race. This m_eans broad-mindedness and toleration. 
By studying the sources in detail the student can realize all 
this from his own experience and his knowledge of people, and 
he will find pleasure in applying such practical knowledge of 
human nature as he has acquired in actual life. 

Not only should the student acquire a broader jioint of view, 
but he can be made more interested in history work by such an 
exercise. When he can be shown in a tangible way that history 
is past life and that human nature is very much the same even 
under very different conditions and in different ages, he will 
regard history as worth while and as interesting. By taking 
enough time for a small amount of sourc'e work and by doing 
it with thoroughness, the student will study his text-book with 
new interest. 

Furthermore, there is an opportunity for a kind of intensive 
training that can be obtained only by work on such problems, 
whether made up from source extracts or secondary material. If 
the student is given a small problem adapted to his ability and 
making demands upon his ingenuity, he will learn the first les- 
sons in the criticism and oi'ganization of facts, and in forming 
conclusions by the use of his powers of judgment. Conflicting 
statements in the different extracts will challenge his curiosity. 
He M'ill beconio anxious to reconcile them and to find a solution 
for his difficulties in the same spirit that the solution of a 



6 The University of Texas Bulletin 

puzzle would call out his best mental efforts. By direction in 
working out conclusions from indefinite details, which must first 
be carefully examined, the student will learn the importance of 
using all information carefully. If the teacher can impress this 
On the student, it will be a start toward the realization of the 
importance of acquiring intellectual independence. There is 
no greater obligation resting on the history teacher than that 
of awakening the desire of the student to form independent 
opinions on all subjects. No form of educational training can 
have a greater practical value or will make the student more 
useful to himself or his fellow men. 

In the belief that many of the present source books do not 
enable the teacher to obtain the best results from the use of 
source material, this bulletin is offered as an experiment. It 
presents several problems with sufficient material and sufficient 
helps and suggestions to enable teacher and pupil to solve them 
with satisfying results. It is hoped that the history teachers 
of the state will, if possible, try it in the class room. If the ex- 
periment should prove successful, it may result in a better 
method of arranging source material for history teaching and 
in greater emphasis on this phase of supplementary work than 
has hitherto been possible.* 

II. THE PROBLEM 

The siege and capture of Jerusalem by the crusaders in 1099 
has been selected as the subject of the present exercise. The 
four most authentic accounts of this event, three of which have 
been translated from the Latin and given below, are of sufficient 
brevity to enable students to read them all and form their 
own conclusions. The problem in its completeness should be to 
reconstruct from the narratives given here a full account of the 
siege and capture of Jerusalem in 1099, with all the attendant 
circumstances; but it may be more satisfactory to assign small 
problems of a more definite character, covering the topics sug- 
gested below. 

*See Krey, "Suggestions for the Teaching of History and Civics in 
the High School," University of Texas Bulletin. 1912, pp. 18-22. This 
Bulletin can be obtained free on application to The University of Texas. 
It presents several problems with sufficient material and sufficient helps 
and suggestions to enable teachers and pupils to solve them- with satis- 
fying results. 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 7 

The teacher should encourage the student to use all possible 
ingenuity and to give his reasons for 3very statement which he 
ipakes. The point of view or the character of each writer should 
always be considered in every instance where this might affect 
the value of any particular fact. The students should be 
asked to write reports on their topics to be read before the 
class. Since the other members of the class, as a result of their 
own work, will be familiar with the different narratives, they 
will be in a position to criticise such reports. Such exercises 
should awaken lively discussion and bring about animated reci- 
tation work. 

1. Subdivisions of the Problem — Topics 

1. Describe the fortification of Jerusalem in 1099. 

2. What was the location of the different leaders during the 
siege ? 

3. What changes vvere made in the plan of attack during 
the siege? What reasons can be found for r^ueh changes? 

4. Describe the first assault made by the crusaders. 

5. How was the progress of the siege delayed by the lack 
of provisions and the poor water supply^ 

6. Describe the fight that Kaymond Piletus had, on his 
march to Joppa. 

7. What part did the fleet and Genoese sailors have in the 
siege ? 

8. What evidence of dissension and lack of harmony in the 
crusading army is to be found in the extract^- ? 

9. By what means was harmony established among the cru- 
saders ? 

10. Discuss the use of siege towers. 

11. What machines and siege devices were used to obtain 
an entrance into the city? 

12. What methods did the Turks use to defend the city? 

13. Describe the first attack on the city. Try to give date 
and tell why it failed. 

14. Describe the final attack that resulted m the Franks 
entering the city. What was the date ? 

15. What part did Rajmiond have in the siege? 



8 TJie University of Texas Bulletin 

16. What resistance did the crusaders encounter after they 
had forced their way into the city ? 

17. Describe the fight at the temple of Solomon. 

18. How did the crusaders treat the inhabitants and defend- 
ers of the city ? 

19. Describe the sacking of the city. 

20. In what ways do the chroniclers illustrate the general 
attitude of Westerners toward the Mohammedans? 

21. What can you say of the piety of the crusaders? 

22. Can you show that people in the year 1099 believed in 
mira.cles? 

23. How long did the siege of Jerusalem last ? 

24. How was the capture of the city celebrated? 

25. How does the importance of the capture of Jerusalem, in 
the estimation of the chroniclers, show the general western atti- 
tude toward the crusade? 

III. HOW TO WORK OUT THE PROBLEM 

1. The ILisiorical Setting of the Problem.* 

To understand the narratives and to get a sympathetic ap- 
preciation of the characters, the pupil must know something of 
the history of the crusades and the relative conditions of west- 
ern Europe and the East. 

The crusaders, who in 1096 undertook the conquest of the 
Holy. Land from the Turks, were uncultured AVesterners, who 
knew little about the higher civilizations of the Byzantine em- 
pire or of the Saracen world. The years spent on the crusade 
meant a liberal education to these people, who, except as they 
may have chanced to hear tales of the magic East from the lips 
of pilgrims and travelers, had previously known nothing better 
than the crude life of western Europe. The wealth and luxury 
that they found were beyond all their expectations, and at every 
city that they captured the leaders quarrelled; each was eager 
to obtain possession, to settle down in this wondrous land and 
build up a principality for himself. Thus, the religious purpose 
was often forgotten in the rivalry of the leaders, and it long 

*The best account of the capture of Jerusalem in English may be 
found in Archer and Kingsford, The Crusades (The Story of the 
Nations Series, Putnams, New York.) 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 9 

seemed doubtful whether the crusading army would ever reach 
the Holy City that they had started ont with such eagerness 
to rescue. 

Thus Bohemond, the Norman adventui'ei" from Southern Italy, 
who probably started on the expedition with a definite purpose 
to win territory for himself with his sword, outwitted the other 
leaders and obtained the splendid city of Antioch as his prize. 
Baldwin, the brother of Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, left the main 
army at Antioch and established himself at Edessa. Raymond, 
the count of Touh)use and the greatest lord in Southern Prance, 
was equally anxious to gain a i)ortion of this rich land, but his 
ambition was cheeked at every point, and chietly by his crafty 
rival, Bohemond. The ambitions and jealousies of the leaders 
threatened to wreck the crusade, but the people in the ranks at 
length grew weary of quarrels and demanded that they be led to 
Jerusalem. Thus the army forced the leaders to forget their 
selfish ambitions, and early in June of 1099. the crusader- ar- 
rived before Jerusalem. The jealousies of the leaders; continued 
during the siege, and althoutih Boheirond wa-; not present. Ray- 
mond was always regarded with suspicion by the othpi" leaders. 

Later, the Westerners who remained in the East and made it 
their home came to appreciate the culture of their Saracen 
neighbors. They found it to their advantage to cultivate friendly 
relations, but in 1099, the crusaders had not been l.onu' enough 
in the East to adopt >o tolerant an attitude. They had been 
impressed by the wealth of the country and hoped to conquer and 
rule it, but they still regarded the Saracens as enemit^s of their 
religion who deserved no consideration. Firm in their belief 
that all unbelievers were an inferior race, they had not .yet re- 
alized that they could learn much from their Saracen enemies. 
Thus at the siege of Jerusalem, the crusaders show the same fa- 
natical hatred that had characterized the beginning of the cru- 
sade. 

Some lessons, however, the crusaders had learned. In warfare, 
where they were most expert and in which they were most in- 
terested, they had found it necessary to change their methods. 
The heavy western horsemen had too often found themselves 
helpless before the light Turkish cavalry that never gave them 
peace but would not come to close quarters and fight hand to 



10 The University of Texas Bulletin 

hand. Such methods of fighting were new to the crusaders. 
They also found that the taking of the walled cities of the 
East was a much more difficult matter than the storming of 
the less scientifically fortified castles of the AA^est. From the 
Greeks, they learned how to besiege walled cities and many of 
these ideas were used at the siege of Jerusalem. Siege-craft 
and fortification were greatly modified in the West by returning 
crusaders, who used to advantage the knowledge which they 
had acquired in the East. 

The crusade and the capture of Jerusalem made a wonderful 
impression on the popular imagination of the AA^est. In an age 
when fighting and the type of religion that found expression in 
the crusades were matters of absorbing iDterest, it is not sur- 
prising that an awakening Europe should develop an universal 
interest in this rescue of the Holy Land. Tlie extracts reflect 
this popular attitude. The idea, that the places where the 
Christian religion had found its origin, could confer actual 
spiritual benefit upon the pilgrim who visited them, was a part 
of the religious belief, of the age. Its counterpart was the belief 
that relics, any articles that had been sanctified by some holy 
person, had a practical spiritual value and miraculous attri- 
butes. Thus the unearthing at Antioch of what was believed to 
be the spear that had pierced the side of Christ had been inter- 
preted as a sign of the Lord's favor, and had resulted in a burst 
of religious fanaticism that had saved the crusaders from the 
dangerous plight in which they had found themselves. Similar 
expressions of religious enthusiasm occurred at Jerusalem. 

However, the spirit of the crusade was not mere religious 
romanticism. The cold blooded ambition of the leaders delib- 
erately exploited the religious feeling of the common people. 
The army itself fluctuated from intense piety, which usual- 
ly appeared when thev found themselves unprosperous 
and in danger, to moral laxity. The medieval man was 
a creature of moods. The matter uppermost in his 
mind received absorbing attention to the exclusion of 
all else. Thus in trying to understand these crusaders, it is 
necessary to remember that they were naive and childlike, but 
although the ideals and standards of the age were very different 
from those of today, the motives that guided action were never- 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 H 

theless intensely human even in the last days of the eleventh 
century. It is only by such an interpretation that the real 
spirit of the crusaders can be appreciated. 

It is further necessary to have some knowledge of the men 
wlio wrote the accounts which follow. 

2. The Authors of the Aqcoiuits . 

The three extracts that follow have been translated from the 
Latin chronicles of the crusades. The writers of these accounts 
gn-e the best information that we have concerning the capture 
of Jerusalem in 1099, for they were themselves eye witnesses of 
this event. There are other narratives of the taking of the Holy 
City which contain additional information, but. because the 
authors were not eye witnesses, we can not be so sure of the re- 
liability of their facts. Often tliey merely copied earlier writ- 
ings, or obtained their information from men who had been to 
the Holy Land; again they may have gone to the Holy Land 
later and heard the story of the siege there. In any of these 
cases they obtained their facts second hand. One other short 
account of this event may be mentioned. It is to be found in 
a letter written by the leaders of the armv to the Pope in 
September of 1099.* 

ITiis letter and the three extracts printed below are the onlv 
accounts writtei-i by eye witnesses known to be in existence and 
they can thus be regarded as the most accurate narratives of the 
capture of Jerusalem by the crusaders. In comparing different 
statements, any bias or characteristic that might affect the point 
of view of the chronicler should be carefullv considered 
The writers present the attitude of different factions in the 
army as well as the different points of view of the leaders and 
of the common people. 

The name of the author of The Deeds of the Franks and 
other Crusaders is unknown. He makes no specific reference to 
himself m the chronicle. Other chroniclers who used this 
book (one of them saw it in 1101) apparentlv did not know the 
author, at least they have not given us his name. The reliability 
of the work has been estal)lished by internal criticism, that i. by 

*This has been translated and may be found in Translations and 
Reprints, University of Pennsylvania, Vol. I, No. 4, p. 10 



12 The University of Texas Bulletin 

a careful consideration of the subject matter and by testing the 
facts given by the author by comparison with other writers. 
The account is in the form of a diary written from time to 
time on the march. The author was apparently not a man who 
knew the secrets of the leaders, but wrote down his own impres- 
sions and experiences, describing the events of which he was an 
eyewitness. lie was religious, intensely interested in the cru- 
sade, and, because of his genuine and sincere effort to tell 
what he observed, his account is one of the best that we have 
of the first crusade. Apparently, the Anonymous, as he is 
called, was a Norman knight from Southern Italy. He accom- 
panied Bohemond to Constantinople. Then for a short period 
he was with Tancied, but was again in Bohemond 's service in 
1098. Later, he became connected with Raymond of Toulouse, 
with whom he went to Jerusalem in 1099, where he witnessed 
the suffering and hardships as well as the final triumph. The 
Anonymous represents the attitude of the average crusader. 

Fulk, the author of The Deeds of the French Crusaders, was a 
priest from Chartres. He began his journey with Robert of 
Normandy and Stephen, count of Blois and Chartres. but at 
Antioch, he attached himself to Baldwin, the brother of Godfrey, 
whose chaplain he became, and he is thus our principal source 
for the story of Baldwin's capture of Edessa. He was at Je- 
rusalem in 1099. The chronicle has somewhat the form of a 
diary and is full of the interesting observations that a curious 
Westerner of the time would make on such an expedition. 
Fulk represents the point of view of the crusader from north- 
ern France. TTie work is continued down to 1125, although the 
first part, containing the extract that describes the capture of 
Jerusalem, was probably written not later than 1105. 

The third account. The History of the Franks who Captured. 
Jerusalem by Raymond of Agiles, although the work of an eye- 
witness and the longest, deserves more cautious use. The 
author was a priest, like Fulk. and went on the crusade as the 
chaplain of Raymond (count of Toulouse), who led the crusaders 
from southern France. The account was written later than the 
others, probably about 1112. Count Raymond received favorable 
treatment at the hands of his chaplain, but this priest, who was 
canon of Puy, had personal reasons for writing a history of the 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 13 

crusade. He was one of the men who helped to find the holy 
lance at Antioch. The enemies of Comit Raymond, because he 
made every possible use of this relic, charged him with fraud, 
and his chaplain tried to vindicate both his master and himself 
by writing a history of the crusade. Thus, although his infor- 
mation was obtained first hand, our chronicler is biased and fur- 
thermore on the defensive. In any case where his information 
might be colored by such prejudice, careful comparison should 
be made with the other writers. 



14 The University of Texas Bulletin 



THE NARRATIVES— THE MATERIAL FOR WORKING OUT THE 

PROBLEM 

1. The Story from "The Deeds of the Franks and other Cru- 
saders," by an Ano7iymoiis Author 

Eejoicing and exulting-, we reached the city of Jerusalem on 
Tuesday, June 6, and began to besiege the city in a marvelous 
manner. Robert, the Norman, located himself on the north 
side, near the church of St. Stephen,^ Avhich was built on the 
very spot where that first martyr won eternal happiness by being 
stoned in Christ's name. Next to the Norman duke, Robert, 
count of Flanders, stationed his contingent, while Duke Godfrey 
and Tancred prepared to attack the city from the west.- The 
count of St. Aegidius located himself on the south, on Mount 
Sion, near the church of St. Mary, the mother of the Lord, 
where Christ once supped with His disciples. 

On the third day, some of our men, namely Raymond Piletus 
and Raymond of Taurina, went out on a foraging expedition. 
They encountered a force of two hundred Arabs and the sol- 
diers of Christ fought these unbelievers. With the Lord's help, 
they fought so valiantly that they killed many of the enemy 
and captured thirty horses. On the first Monday after our ar- 
rival, we made an attack on the city and so bravely did we 
tight that if scalding ladders had been ready for our use, the 
city would most certainly have fallen into our hands. As it was, 
we pulled down the outer wall and placed one ladder against the 
main wall, so that some of our men ascended and fought hand to 
hand with swords and lances against the Saracen defenders of 
the city. Many of our men were killed in this attack, but the 
enemy lost more heavily. 

However, for a period of ten days, we were not able to buy 

^The church of St. Stephen was built on the spot where Stephen 
was supposed to have been stoned. The church that the crusaders 
found in ruins was built by the Greeks about the 8th century. 

=Tancred was the nephew of Robert Guiscard, the Norman ruler of 
southern Italy. With Bohemond, the oldest son of Robert, he led the 
crusading army from southern Italy. Raymond, count of Toulouse, 
was also count of St. Gilles, duke of Narbonne, and marquis of Pro- 
vence. He was also called count of St. AEgidius. Raymond was the 
most powerful lord in southern France. 



y'^ 



^ 



/-^ 




^fO 



PLAN OF THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, 1099. 

1, Ruined church of St. Stephen; 2 Gate of St. Stephen; 3, The Angular 
tower; 4, Tower of David; 5, Gate of David or Joppa Gate; 6, Holy Scpulcher; 
7, Temple of the Lord: 8, Sion Gate; 9, Tomb of David and church of St. 
Mary; 10, Pool of Siloam. 



16 The University of Texas Bulletin 

bread at any price, until a messenger arrived announcing the 
arrival of our ships. We also sulfered greatly from thirst. In 
fear and terror we were forced to water our horses and other 
animals at a distance of six miles from camp. The Spring of 
Siloam,^ at the foot of Mount Sion sustained us. 

When the messenger arrived from our ships, the leaders took 
counsel and decided that armed men should be sent to guard 
the ships and sailors at the port of Joppa. So one hundred men 
from the army of Raymond, count of St. AEgidius, under Ray- 
mond Piletus. Achard of Montemerlus and William of Sabram, 
left camp in the early dawn and started confidently toward 
Joppa. Thirty of these knights separated themselves from the 
rest of the band and met seven hundred Arabs, Turks and Sara- 
cens from the army of the Emir. The soldiers of Christ boldly 
attacked the enemy, but as they were greatly outnumbered, they 
were soon surrounded ; Achard and some of the poor footmen 
were killed.* While this band was completely surrounded and 
all believed that they could not escape death, a messenger was 
sent to Raymond Piletus who said, "Why do you stand here 
with these knights? Lo. all of our men are in serious danget 
from the Arabs, Turks and Saracens and may all be dead by this 
time. Hasten to them and aid them." As soon as they heard 
this our men hastened to the scene of battle. The Pagans, when 
they saw the rest of our knights approach, formed themselves 
into two lines. Our men rushed upon the unbelievers, shouting 
the name of Christ, each determined to bring down his man. 
The enemy soon realized that they would not be able to with- 
stand the bravery of the Franks, so they turned their backs and 
fled in terror. TTiey were pursued for a distance of six miles. 
Many of the enemy were killed and one man, whom they re- 
garded as a very important person, was taken alive. One hun- 
dred and three horses were captured. 

During this siege, we were so distressed with thirst, that we 
were forced to carrv water a distance of six miles in the skins 



^See note 9. 

*The knights were always accompanied by foot soldiers, so the numeri- 
cal strength of this band was larger than the number of knights 
would indicate. In the crusading battles the footmen outnumbered 
the horsement 2, ?,. 4, and even 7 to 1. The personal attendant of a 
knight was a squire. 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 17 

of cattle and wild oxen, and between fetid water and barley 
bread we were daily in great want and sutfering. Moreover the 
Saracens hid in ambush at the watering places and either killed 
and wounded our animals or drove them away to caverns and 
caves in the hills. 

At length our leaders decided to beleaguer the city with siege 
machines, so that we might enter and worship the Savior at 
the Holy Sepulchre. Two wooden towere and many other siege 
machines were constructed." Duke Godfrey made a wooden 
tower and other siege devices and Count Raymond did the same, 
although it was necessary to bring the wood from a considerable 
distance. However, when the Saracens saw our men engaged 
in this work they greatly strengthened the fortifications of the 
city by increasing the height of the turrets at night. On a cer- 
tain Sabbath night, after the leaders had decided which parts 
of the wall were weakest, they dragged the towers and the ma- 
chines to the eastern side of the city. The tower and machines 
were erected, equipped, and made ready for u e during Sunday, 
Monday and Tuesday. The count of St. AEgidius erected his 
tower on the plain to the south of the city. 

While all this was going on, our water supply was so ]imite<l 
that no one could buy enough water for one denarius'^ to sat- 
isfy his thirst. Both night and day, on Wednesday and Thurs- 
day, we made a determined attack on the city from all sides. 
However, before we made this assault on the city, the bishops 
and priests persuaded all by exhorting and preaching to honor 
the Lord by marching around Jerusalem in a great procession, 
and to prepare for battle by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. 
Early Saturday morning, we again attacked the city on all 
sides, but as the assault was unsuccessful, we were all discour- 
aged and fearful. But when that hour approached on which our 
Lord Jesus Christ deigned to suffer on the cross for us, our 
knights began to fight bravely in- one of the towers, namely the 



^The seige tower was made of wood and was moved by wheels or 
rollers. The tower usually had two or more stories. In the lower 
story was a ram to batter holes in the wall. At the top were archers 
and various engines that discharged stones and other missiles. A draw- 
bridge was also attached to the tower which could be lowered to the 
wall when the tower had been moved close enough. 

"A coin that was used most commonly in Western Europe at this 
time. It is impossible to say what the purchasing value was. 



18 The University of Texas Bulletin 

party with Duke Godfrey and his brother, Count Eustace. One 
of our knights, named Lethold. clambered up the wall of the 
city, and no sooner had he ascended, than the defenders fled 
from the walls and through the city. Our men followed, kill- 
ing and slaying even to the temple of Solomon, where the slaugh- 
ter was so great that our men waded in blood up to their ankles. 

RajTuond approached the city from the south, but he was un- 
able to move his tower close to the wall because of a deep ditch. 
So he announced that anyone who should carry three stones 
to the moat would receive one denarius, but notwithstanding 
this reward, the work of filling the ditch required three days 
and three nights. The tower was at last moved up to the wall, 
but the men defending this portion of the wall fought desper- 
ately with stones and fire. When the count heard that the 
Franks were already in the city, he said to his men, "Why 
do you loiter? Lo, the Franks are even now within the city." 
The Emir, who commanded in the tower of St. David, surren- 
dered and opened that gate at which the pilgrims had always 
been accustomed to pay tribute. But this time the pilgrims en- 
tered the city to pui'sui' and kill the Saracens up to the tem- 
ple of Solomon, where the enemy gathered in force and the 
battle raged throughout the day, so that the temple was covered 
with blood. When the pagans were unable to resist longer, our 
men seized great numbers, both men and women, either killing 
them or keeping them as captives, as they wished. On the roof 
of the temple, a great number of pagans of both sexes had as- 
sembled and these were taken under the protection of Tancred 
and Gaston of Beert. Afterward, the army scattered through- 
out the city and took possession of the gold and silver, the 
horses and mules, and the houses full of loot for all. 

Later, all of our jieople went to the Sepulchre of our Lord, 
rejoicing and weeping for joy, and they rendered up the offering 
that they owed. In the morning some of our men cautiously 
ascended to the roof of the temple and ma-sacred many of the 
Saracens, both men and women, with their swords; the remain- 
der sought death by jumping down into the temple. When 
Tancred heard of this he was filled with anger.' 

'Tancred apparently wished to sell these people 'into slavery. 



The Capture of Jerusalem iu 10.99 19 

2. From ''The Deeds of the French Crusaders," by Fulk of 

Chartres 

On the seventh of June,'* the Franks besieged Jerusalem. 
The city is located in a mountainous region, which is lacking in 
rivers, woods and springs, except the fountain of Siloam, where 
there is plenty of Avater, but it empties forth only at certain in- 
tervals.^ This fountain empties into the valley, at the foot of 
Mount Sion and flows into the course of the brook of Kedron, 
which, during the winter, flows through the valley of Jehosa- 
phat. There are many cisterns, which furni-h abundant water 
within the city. When filled by the winter rains and well cared 
for, they offer both men and beasts an unfailing supply at all 
times Moreover, the city is laid out most beautifully, and can 
not be criticised for too great length or as being disproportion- 
ately narrow. On the west, is the tower of David, which is 
flanked on both sides by the broad wall of the city. The lower 
half of the wall is solid masonry, of square stones and mortar, 
sealed with molten lead. So strmig is this wall that, if fifteen 
or twenty men shoiild be well supplied with provisions, they 
would never be taken by any army. . . . 

When the Franks saw how difficult it would be to take the 
city, the leaders ordered scaling ladders to be made, hoping that 
by a brave assault, it might be possible to surmount the walls 
by means of ladders and thus take the city, God helping. So 
the ladders were made and on the day ' following the seventh,^" 
in the early morning, the leaders ordered the attack, and, with 
the trumpets sounding, a splendid assault was made on the city 
from all side^. The attack lasted till the sixth hour, but it was 
discovered that the city could not be entered by the use of lad- 
ders, which were few in number, and sadly we ceased the at- 
tack. 

*The Anonymous says (p. 14) that the crusaders arrived at Jeru- 
salem on Tuesday, June 6th, in 1099. June 6th would be on Mon- 
day. The different chroniclers vary as to the date. 

"The spring of Siloam was intermittent and the water flowed less 
frequently in the summer than in the spring. In the interior of the 
rock there is a natural reservoir, in whicli the water collected. A 
l)assage connects this reservoir with the outer basin, and when the 
the water rose to a certain height, this passage acted as a syphon. 

"This would be the 8th of June according to Fulk. According to the 
Anonymus an attack was made on Monday, the 13th. 



20 The Universify of Texas Bulletin 

Then a council \vas held and it was ordered that siege ma- 
chines should be constructed by the artisans, so that by moving 
them close to the wall, we might accomplish our purpose, with 
the aid of God. This was done. 

In the meantime, while we did not suffer because of any lack 
of meat or bread, our men and their animals were unable to 
obtain a sufficient supply of drinking water, for, as I have said, 
the region is dry and without streams of water. Accordingly, 
it was necessary to bring water to camp in the skins of animals 
from places four or five miles distant. 

Moreover, the machines were being prepared for the attack, 
rams" and hurling machines.^- Among other siege devices, a 
wooden tower was constructed from small timbers, for we had 
a very small supply of wood. According to a command that 
was issued, the parts of this tower were carried by night to a 
corner of the city. In the morning, it was very quickly set up 
and equipped with petrariae and other machine*, at a safe dis- 
tance from the wall. When ^e tower had been put together 
and had been covered with hides, it was moved nearer to the 
wall. Then knights, few in number, but brave, at the sound of 
the trumpet, took their places in the tower and began to shoot 
stones and arrows. The Saracens defended themselves vigor- 
ously, and, with slings, very skillfully hurled back burning 
firebrands, which had been dipped in oil and fresh fat. Many 
on both sides, fighting in this manner, often found themselves in 
the presence of death. 

On the other side of the city, from Mount Sion, a great at- 
tack was also made on the city by Raymond and his men, where 
machinery was likewise used. However, on the side where Duke 
Godfrey, Robert, count of Normandy, and Robert of Flanders 

"The ram was a large beam or log, which was suspended by ropes 
or chains from solid perpendicular beams. When drawn back it was 
allowed to swing against the wall. It was necessary to cover the men 
who worked the ram with some kind of protection, as the defenders 
dropped stones from the top of the wall. By the use of the ram the 
wall was shaken down or a hole was made through it. 

'-There were various kinds of engines for hurling stones or shooting 
javelines. Ropes or cords were so twisted that when suddenly released 
they hurled a stone or other missile. Other machines were like large 
crossbows, and shot javelines and stones. The petraria was a machine 
which hurled stones as missiles. The tormentum was an engine oper 
ated by the use of twisted cords, by torsion. 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 21 

were fighting, the battle was tiercest. Such was the work of 
that day. On the following day, the work again began at the 
sound of the trumpet, and to such purpose, that the rams by 
continual pounding, made a hole through one part of the wall. 
The Saracens suspended two beams before the opening, support- 
ing them by ropes, so that by piling stones behind them they 
would make an obstacle to the rams. However, what they did 
for their own protection, became, through the providence of 
God, the cause of their own destruction. For, when the tower 
was moved nearer to the wall, the ropes that supported the 
beams were cut; from these same beams the Franks constructed 
a bridge, which they cleverly extended from the tower to the 
wall. About this time, one of the towers in the stone wall be- 
gan to burn, for the men, who worked our machines, had been 
hurling firebrands upon it until the wooden beams within it 
caught fire. The flames and smoke soon became so bad that 
none of the defenders of this part of the wall were able to re- 
main near this place. At the noon hour on Friday, with trump- 
ets sounding, amid great commotion and shouting "God help 
us," the Franks entered the city. When the Pagans saw one 
standard planted on the wall, they were completely demoralized 
and all their former boldness vanished and they turned to flee 
through the narrow streets of the city. Those who were al- 
ready in rapid flight, began to flee more rapidly. 

Connt Raymond and his men, who were attacking the wall 
on the other side, did not yet know of all this, until they saw 
the Saracens leap from the wall in front of them. Forthwith, 
they joyfully rushed into the city to pursue and kill the ne- 
farious enemies as their comrades were already doing. Some 
Saracens, Arabs, and Ethiopians took refuge in the tower of 
David, others fled to the temple of the Lord and of Solomon. 
A great fight took place in the court and porch of the temples, 
where they were unable to escape from our gladiators. Many 
fled to the roof of the temple of Solomon, and were shot with 
arrows, so that they fell to the ground dead. In this temple, 
almost ten thousand were killed. Indeed, if you had been there, 
you would have seen our feet, colored to our ankles, with the 
blood of the slain. But what more shall I relate? None of them 
were left alive; neither women nor children were spared. 



22 The University of Texas BuUetin 

Tliis may seem strange to you. Our squires and poorer foot- 
men discovered a trick of the Saracens, for they learned that 
they could find bysants^^ in the stomachs and intestines of the 
dead Saracens, who had swallowed them. Thus, after several 
days, they burned a great heap of dead bodies, that they might 
more easily get the precious metal from the ashes. Moreover, 
Tancred broke into the temple of the Lord and most wrongfully 
stole much gold and silver, also precious stones, but later, re- 
penting of his action, after everything had been accounted for, 
he restored all to its former place of sanctity. . . . 

The carnage over, the crusaders entered the houses and took 
whatever they found in them. However, this was all done in 
such a sens^ible manner, that whoever entered a house first, re- 
ceived no injury from any one else, whether he was rich or poor. 
Even though the house was a palace, whatever he found there 
was his property. Thus many poor men became rich. 

Afterward, all, clergy and laymen, went to the sepulchre of 
the Lord and His glorious temple, singing the ninth chant. 
With fitting humility, they repeated prayers and made their 
offering at the holy places that they had long desired to visit. 

It was the eleven hundredth year of our Lord, if you sub- 
tract one, when the people of Gaul took the city. It was the 
15th day of July, when the Franks in their might captured the 
city. It was the eleven hundredth year minus one after tlie 
birth of our Lord, the 15th of July in the two hundred and 
eighty fifth year after the death of Charles the Great and the 
twelfth year after the death of William I of England. 

3. From ""The History of the Franks Who Captured Jeru- 
salem''' by h'aytiunid of Ayiles. Canon of Puy 

The duke ((Godfrey) and the count of Flanders besieged the 
city from the north side, while the count of Normandy stationed 
his men in the space between the church of St. Stephen, which 
is located at the center of the northern wall of the city, .and 
the angular tower, the one next to the tower of David. The 
count (Raymond) and his army prepared to besiege the city on 

,;The byzant was a gold coin of the Byzantine empire. 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 23 

the west, occupying the space between the duke and the foot 
of Mount Sion. However, because a ravine in the center of this 
space made it impossible to cross the plain and storm the wall, 
the count wished to move his camp and change his position. 
One day, while he was reeonnoitering, he came to Mount Sion 
and saw the church which is located on the mount. When he 
heard of the miracles that Christ had performeci there, he said 
to his leaders and companions, "If we neglect to take this sa- 
cred offering, which the Lord has so graciously offered us and 
the Saracens occupy this hill, what will become of us ? Suppose 
that on account of our negligence they should destroy and pol- 
lute this church? Who knows that God may not be giving us 
thi-; opportunity to test our regard for him. I know one thing 
that is certain ; unless we carefully protect this sacred spot, the 
Lord will not give us possession of the Holy Places within the 
city." And so Count Eaymond, against the wishes of the lead- 
ers of his army, ordered his tents to be moved to Mount Sion. 
Because of his action he incurred the displeasure of the leaders, 
who refused to move their tents or to change their guards dur- 
ing the night; each stayed where he had first pitched his tent, 
with the exception of a few who accompanied the count. How- 
ever, by offering great financial inducements, the count was able 
to persuade such knights and footmen as daily served under his 
command to follow him. 

This church is sacred because it contains the tombs of the 
kings, David and Solomon as well as that of the first martyr. 
Stephen. Moreover the most blessed virgin, ]\Iary, visited this 
church during her lifetime, the Lord supped there and after 
rising from the dead, appeared there to His disciples and 
lliomas. On this spot, also, the disciples were filled with the 
Holy Spirit. ^^ 

Xow, when the arrangements for the siege had been com- 
pleted, it happened one day that some of the leaders of the army 
met a hermit on the Mount of Olives, who said to them, "If 
you will storm the city tomorrow, till the ninth hour (3 p. m.), 
the Lord will deliver it into your hands." They replied, "But 



"The church of Sion or St. Mary was rebuilt afterward by the cru- 
saders in 1130. The Coenaculum was supposed to be the room of the 
Last Supper. The tomb of David was also there. Raymond gives 
other reasons for the sanctity of this church. 



2-4 The University of Texas Bulletin 

we do not have the neee. saiy maehinery for storming the walls." 
The hermit replied, "God is powerful. If he wills, he will scale 
the walls with ladders made of rushes. The Lord aids those 
. who labor for the Truth. ' ' So, with such maehinery as could be 
constructed during the night, an attack was made on the city in 
the early morn and it lasted till the third hour (9 a. m.). The 
Saracens were compelled to retreat behind the inner walls, for 
the outer wall was broken down by our men and some of them 
even climbed to the top of the inner wall. The city would un- 
doubtedly have been captured at that time if the attack had not 
become confused and if our men had not become discouraged ; 
moreover we lost many men. On the next day, no attack was 
attempted. 

After this, the whole army scattered itself throughout the 
surrounding country to collect ju'ovisions, and nothing was even 
said of the necessity of preparing the machines that were needed 
to capture the city ; each man was interested only in his mouth 
and stomach and, what was worse, they did not even ask the 
Lord to free them from such great and manifold evils and they 
were afflicted even unto death. Ju.st before our arrival, the Sar- 
acens had filled up the springs, destroyed the cisterns and 
dammed up the brooks from the springs. . . . Thus water 
was obtained with great difficulty. There is a certain fountain 
at the foot of Mount Sion, which is called the pool of Siloam; 
indeed, it is a large spring, but the water flows forth only once 
in three days and the natives say that formerly it emptied it- 
self only on Saturdays ; the rest of the week it remained stag- 
nant. We are ignorant of the explanation of this, except that 
the Lord willed that it should be so.^^ However, when, as we 
have said, the water did tlow forth to us on the third day, there 
was such great crowding and haste to drink, that both men and 
cattle rushed toward the water and many of our animals were 
killed. Thus the pool was filled with the crowd and with the 
bodies of the dead animals. The bravest, fighting in a struggle 
of death, forced their way to the very opening in the rocks 
through which the water flowed, while the weak got only the 
water, which had already been contaminated. Many sick people 
dragged themselves to the fountain and with their throats s(^ 

''See note 9. 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 25 

parched that they were unable to make a sound, they stretched 
their hands in mute appeal toward those who had water. In the 
field were many horses, mules and cattle without strength enough 
to move and because of thirst they died in their tracks. Through- 
out camp the stench of the dead bodies was most sickening. Be- 
cause of such affliction, it was necessary to fetch water a distance 
of two or three leagues, also to drive the cattle to such distant 
watering places. When the Saracens noted that our people 
were going to the watering places through the dangerous passes 
in the hills unarmed, they lay in wait for them in ambush. 
TTiey killed whom they wished and drove away the flocks and 
herds. The situation was so bad that when any one brought foul 
water to camp in vessels, he was able to get any price that he 
cared to ask and if any one wished to get clear water, for five 
or six nununi ^® he could not obtain enough to satisfy his thirst 
for a single day. Nothing or very little was said about wine 
at this time; people talked about the heat, the dust and the wind 
and in this way they aggravated their suffering from thirst, as 
though this was not bad enough in itself. But w^hy say so much 
about thc-e troubles? Few remembered the Lord, for they paid 
slight attention either to such works as were needed to capture 
the city or to win the Lord's favor. . . . 

^Meanwhile, messengers came to camp, announcing that our 
ships had arrived at Joppa and that the sailors demanded that 
a guard should be sent to hold the tower of Joppa and give them 
protection at the port, for the town of Joppa had been de- 
stroyed except the castle and that was nearly in ruins, with the 
exception of one tower. However, the harbor is there, and it is 
the one nearest to Jerusalem, it being about one day's journey 
distant. All of our people rejoiced when they heard the news 
of our sailors and they sent out Count Gaklemarus, called Car- 
pinellus, accompanied by twenty Imights and forty footmen. 
Later, he was followed by Raymond Piletus with fifty knights 
and William of Sabram with his followers. 

As Galdemarus and his contingent approached the plains that 
are on this side of Ramla, he encountered a force of four hun- 
dred Arabs and two hundred Turks. Galdemarus arranged his 
men for battle so as to use his small number to the best advan- 



"The nummiis was a Byzantine coin. 



26 The University of Texas Bulhiin 

tage, placing his archers in front. Then he boldly advanced 
upon the enemy, trusting in the aid of the Lord. The enemy 
thought that they would be able to crush this band and rushed 
upon it, circling about them, shooting arrows at them. Three 
or four of Galdemarus's knights were killed, including Achar- 
dus of Montemerlus, a most honorable man, others were 
wounded; all of this was done by the arrows of the enemy. 
However, many of the enemy were also killed. Nevertheless not 
on account of all this did the fight slacken nor did our brave 
men despair of the mercy of God, but oppressed by wounds and 
death itself, they stood up to their enemies the more fiercely, 
the more that they suffered from them. But when our leaders, 
more from weariness than from fear, wished to retire from the 
fighting line, a cloud of dust was seen approaching. Raymond 
Piletus was rushing headlong into the fight with his men. 
Moreover, his men raised so much dust, that to the enemy his 
force seemed much larger than it really was. Tluis, by the 
grace of God, our men were released; the enemy scattered and 
fled, two hundred of them were killed and much plunder was 
taken. It is the custom of this people when they flee and are 
hard pressed by the enemy, first to throw away their arms, then 
their clothes and lastly their saddlebags. Thus it happened in 
this fight, that our few knights killed until they wei'e worn out, 
but were also able to obtain the spoil of all, even of those whom 
they did not kill. 

After the pursuit was over, our men assembled, divided the 
spoil and then marched on to Joppa. The sailors received them 
with, great joy, and felt so secure after their arrival that they 
forgot their ships and neglected to place watches on the sea, but 
entertained the crusaders with a feast of bread, wine, and fish 
from their ships. However, the sailors, careless of their se- 
curity, failed to post lookouts for the night, and in the dark- 
ness were suddenly surrounded by enemies from the sea. When 
dawn came, they realized that the enemy was too strong to be 
resisted and they abandoned their ships, saving whatever they 
could. Thus our knights returned to Jerusalem after winning 
one battle and losing another. However, one of our ships, which 
was heavily laden, when it was seen that the rest of the ships 
were surrounded by the enemy's fleet, by the use of oars and 



The Capture of Jernsalem in 109.9 27 

sail made its escape to Laodicaea and told our friends at that 
port what had been happening at Jernsalem. Prom signs, sent 
to us by the Lord, we knew that we had deserved this misfor- 
tune, for we had despaired of the mercy of God and had denied 
our faith. So we went to the plain of the river Jordan, collected 
palms and were baptized in its waters. . . . 

About this time, a public assembly was held, for the leaders of 
the army were quarreling with each other. There was dissat- 
isfaction because Tancred had occupied Bethlehem and had 
placed his standard over the church of the Nativity as though 
it was an ordinary house. (The cpiestion of electing a king of 
Jerusalem was also discussed, but the election was postponed 
till the eighth day after the city should be captured. This was 
the chief cause of trouble among the leaders.) Not in this 
matter alone but in other ways, our affairs did not prosper, and 
the troubles of the people increased every day. Nevertheless, 
the merciful and propitious Lord, lest our enemies should insult 
His law and say "Where is their God?," had shown us through 
the bishop of Puy. the lord Aclhemar, how we could placate His 
anger and obtain His mercy.^' For the benign Lord had sent 
His messengers to us, but because they were our brothers, we had 
not heeded them. Therefore, the bishop (Adhemar) appeared 
before Peter Desiderius, saying "Speak to the princes and all 
the people, and tell/them you have come from distant lands to 
worship the Lord and you are His army. Therefore, let us be 
purged from our uncleanliness and let each one turn from his 
evil ways. Then praying and fasting, let every one march 
around Jerusalem liarefooted. If you do this and then make a 
great attack on the city on the ninth day, it will be captured. 
If you do not, all the evils that you have suffered will be mul- 
tiplied. " When the priest had said this to William Ugo, the 
brother of the bishop, to his lord. Count Ysoardus and to certain 
of the clergy, they assembled the princes and the people and ad- 
dressed them. "Brothers, you know why we undertook this 
expedition and what we have suffered and that we are acting 



I'Until his death, August 1, 1098, Adhemar, l)ishoi) of Puy, who was 
the representative of the Pope and had supervision of the entire cru- 
sade, had been able to play the part of mediator. Aftei- he died, there 
was no one to reconcile the two factions headed by Raymond of Tou- 
louse and Bohemond. Hence this reference to Adhemar. 



28 TJie Vnivcrsihj of Texas BuUetiit 

negligently, in that we are not constructing the machines that 
are needed to capture the city. Likewise we are not careful to 
reconcile the Lord to us, for we offend Him in many ways and 
have driven Him from us. Now, if it seems right to you. let 
each one become reconciled to his brother, whom he has offended, 
and let brother graciously forgive brother. After we have 
humbled ourselves before God in this manner, let us march 
around Jerusalem in bare feet, and wdth the aid of the relics of 
the Saints, invoke the mercy of the Lord, that the omnipotent 
God, who for us. His servants, assumed the flesh ; who humbly 
rode into the city on an ass, to suffer death on the cross for our 
sins, may come to our aid. If we make this procession around 
the walls, for the honor and glory of His name, He will open the 
city to us and give us judgment upon His enemies and ours, 
who noAv contaminate the place where He suffered and the Holy 
Sepulchre ; the enemy, whom we, with the aid of divine humil- 
ity and in order to obtain our own salvation, are trying to drive 
out." These words were pleasing to botli princes and people 
and it was publicly decided that on the next Friday, the clergy 
should lead the procession with the crosses and the relics of the 
Saints, while the knights and all able-bodied men, with trumpets, 
standards and arms, should follow them barefooted. All this 
we did according to the commands of God and the princes. 
When we reached that spot on the Mount of Olives, whence 
the Lord had ascended into Heaven after the Kesurrection, the 
following exhortation was made to the people: "Now that we 
are on the very spot from which the Lord made His ascension 
and we can do nothing more to purify ourselves, except that 
each one of us forgive his brother, whom he has injured, that the 
Lord may forgive us." What more? All were reconciled to 
each other and with generous offerings we besought the mercy 
of God, that He should not now desert His people, whom He 
had led to such a glorius and splendid goal. Thus the mercy of 
God Avas obtained and everything that had been against us was 
noM'' favorable. But although we avoided many troubles in 
this way, one we could not escape. While we marched around 
the city in procession, the Saracens and Turks made the circuit 
on the walls, ridiculing us in many ways. They placed many 
crosses on the walls in yokes (as a sign of disgrace, the yoke 



Th( Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 29 

was put on a criminal's neck), and made sport of them with 
blows and insulting actions. We, in turn, hoped to obtain the 
aid of God in storming: the city by means of these same signs 
(the crosses) and we pressed the work day and nig'ht. 

The duke of Normandy, the count of Flanders and Gaston of 
Beert constructed machines, also mantlets." The direction of 
this work was asigned to Gaston by the princes, because he was 
a most noble lord, respected because of his skill and reputation, 
and he very cleverly hastened matters, by dividing the work. 
TTie princes busied themselves with obtaining and bringing in 
the material, while Gaston supervised the work of construction. 
Likewi e Count Raymond made William Riehau superintend- 
ent of the work (-u ^bunt Sion. while the bishop of Albara 
brought in the timber with Saracens and others. The count's 
men siezed many Saracen castles and villages and forced the 
Saracens to work as though they were slaves. Thus fifty or 
sixty carried on their shoulders a great beam for the construc- 
tion of machines at Jerusalem, that could not have been dragged 
by four pair of oxen. What more shall I say? All worked 
with a singleness of purpose, no one was slothful and no hands 
were idle. All worked without wages except the artisans, who 
were paid from a collection taken from the people. However, 
the count (Raymonti) paid his workmen from his own re- 
sources. Surely the hand of the Lord was with us and aided 
those who were working. When our efforts were ended and the 
machines completed, the princes held a council and announced, 
"Let all prepare themselves for a battle on Thursday; in the 
meantime, pray, fast and give alms. Hand over your animals 
and servants to the artisans and carpenters, that they may bring 
in beams, poles, stakes, and branches to make mantlets. Every 
two knights should make one mantlet and one scaling ladder. 
Do not hesitate to work for the Lord, for our labors will soon be 
ended." 



"These mantlets were used to shelter the men who were attacking. 
They were usually made of a wickerwork or basketwork of twigs and 
rods so as to be light enough to carry easily. They were generally 
covered with hides as a protection from the firebrands hurled down 
from the walls. Such shields could be held over the men who were 
working close to the wall or could be used by men when making an 
assault. These mantlets seem to have been of great service to the 
crusaders at Jerusalem. ^ 



30 The University of Texas Bulletin 

This proclamation was accepted by all. Then it was decided 
what part of the city each leader should attack and where his 
machines should be located. Meanwhile the Saracens in the city, 
noting the great number of machines that we had constructed, 
strengthened the weaker parts of the wall, so that it seemed that 
they could only be taken by the most desperate efforts. Be- 
cause the Saracens had made so many and such strong fortifi- 
cations to oppose our machines, the duke, the count of Flan- 
ders, and the count of Normandy spent the night before the day 
set for the attack, moving their machines, mantlets, and platforms 
to that side of the city which is between the church of St. Ste- 
phen and the valley of Jehosaphat. You who read this must not 
think that this was a light undertaking, for the machines were 
carried in parts, almost a mile to the place where they were to 
be set up. When morning came and the Saracens saw that all 
the machinery and tents had been moved during the night, they 
were amazed. Not only the Saracens were astonished, but our 
people as well, for they recognized that the hand of the Lord 
was with us. The change was made because the new point 
chosen for attack is more level and thus suitable for moving the 
machines up to the walls, which can not be done unless the 
ground is level, and thus it happened that the part of the city 
that seemed the weakest was not attacked because it was impossi- 
ble to move the machines close to the walls. This part of the 
city is on the north. 

The count (Raymond) and his men worked equally hard on 
Mount Sion, but they had much assistance from William Eb- 
riacus and the Genoese sailors, who although they had lost their 
ships at Joppa, as we have already related, had nevertheless 
been able to save ropes, mallets, spikes, axes, and hatchets, which 
were very necessary to us. But why delay the story? The ap- 
pointed day arrived and the attack began. However, I want 
to say this first, that, according to our estimate and that of 
many others, there were sixty thousand fighting men within the 
city, not counting the women and those unable to bear arms, 
and there were not many of these. At the most we did not have 
more than twelve thousand able to bear arms, for there were 
many poor people and many sick. There were two or three 
hundred knights in our army as I reckon it, not more. I say 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 31 

this, that you may realize that nothing, whether great or small, 
which is undertaken in the name of the Lord can fail, as the 
following pages show. 

Our men began to undermine the towers and walls. From 
every side stones were hurled from the tormenti^*' and the pet- 
rariae and so many arrows that they fell like hail. The ser- 
vants of God were sustained by the premises of their faith for 
any result, whether they should be killed or would presently 
prevail over their enemies. The battle showed no indication 
of victory, but M'hen the machines were drawn nearer to the 
walls, they hurled not only stones and arrows, but also burning 
wood and straw. The wood was dipped in pitch, wax, and sul- 
phur, then straw and tow was fastened on by an iron band, and 
when lighted, these firebrands were shot from the machines. 
All bound together by an iron band. I say, so that wherever 
they fell, the whole mass held together and continued to burn. 
Such missiles, burning as they shot upward, could not be re- 
sisted by swords or by high walls: it was not even possible for 
the defenders to find safety down behind the walls. Thus the 
fight continued from the rising to the setting sun in such splen- 
did fashion that it is difficult to believe that anything more glo- 
rious was ever done. Then we called on the Almighty God, our 
leader and guide, confident in His mercy. Night brought fear to 
both sides. The Saracens feared that we would take the city 
during the night or on the next day, for the outer works were 
broken through and the ditch was filled, so that it was possible 
to make an entrance through the wall very quickly. On our 
pai't, we feared only that the Saracens would set fire to the ma- 
chines that were moved close to the walls, and thus improve their 
situation. Thus on both sides it was a night of watchfulness, 
labor and sleepless caution. On one side, most certain hope, on 
the other, doubtful fear. We gladly labored to capture the city 
for the glory of God; they less willingly strove to resist our 
efforts for the sake of the laws of Mohammed. It is difficult to 
believe how great were the efforts made on both sides during 
the night. 

AVhen morning came, our men eagerly rushed to the walls 
and draaged the machines forward, but the Saracens had con- 



'"See note 12. 



32 The Uiiiversifij of Texas Bulletin 

structed so many machines, that for each one of ours, they now 
had nine or ten. Thus they greatly interfered with our efforts. 
This was the ninth day, on which the priest had said that we 
would capture the city (Peter Desiderius. See his prophesy 
above). But what checked the fulfilment of the prophesy? 
Our machines were now shaken apart by the blows of many 
stones, and our men lagged because they were very weary. 
However, the mercy of the Lord remained, which is never over- 
come nor conquered, but always a source of support in times of 
adversity. One incident must not be omitted. Two women tried 
to bewitch one of our hni'ling machines, but a stone struck and 
crushed them as well a< three slaves, so that their lives were 
extinguished and the evil ineantations were averted. 

By noon, our men were greatly discouraged. They were weary 
and at the end of their resources. There were many enemies re- 
sisting each one of ours; the walls were very high and strong 
and the great resources and skill that the enemy exhibited in 
repairing their defenses seemed too great for us to overcome. 
But, while we hesitated, irresolute and the enemy exulted in 
our discomfiture, the healing mercy of God inspired us and 
turned our sorrow into joy, for the Lord did not forsake us. 
While a council was being held to decide whether or not our 
machines should be withdrawn, for some were burned and the 
rest badly shaken to pieces, a knight on the Mount of Olives 
began to wave hi-; shield to those who were with the count and 
others, signaling them to advance. Who this knight was, we 
have been unable to find out.'-" At this signal, our men again 
began to take heart, and some began to batter the wall, while 
others began to ascend by means of scaling ladders and ropes. 
Our archers shot burning firebrands and in this way checked 
the attack that the Saracens were making upon the wooden 
towers of the duke and the two counts. These firebrands, 
moreover, were wrapped in cotton. This shower of fire drove 
the defenders from the walls. Then the duke quickly released 
the long drawbridge which had protected the side of the wooden 
tower next to the wall, and it swung down from the top. being 
fastened to the middle of the tower, making a bridge, over 



-"Note Raymond's desire to have his readers believe that this may 
have been a miracle. 



• The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 33 

which the men began to enter Jerusalem, bravely and fearlessly. 
Among those who entered first were Tanered and the duke of 
Lotharingia (Godfrey) and the amount of blood that they shed 
on that day is incredible. All ascended after them and the Sara- 
cens now began to suffer. 

Strange to relate, however, at this very time when the city 
was practically captured by the Franks, the Saracens were still 
fighting on the other side, where the count was attacking the 
wall, as though it should never be captured. But now that our 
men had possession of the walls and towers, wonderful sights 
were to be seen. Some of our men, (and this was more merciful). 
cut oft' the heads of their enemies ; others shot them with arrows, 
so that they fell from the towers ; others tortured them longer 
by casting them into the flames. Piles of heads, hands and feet 
were to be seen in the streets of the city. It was necessary to 
pick one's way over the bodies of men and horses. But these 
were small matters compared to what happened at the temple of 
Solomon, a place where religious services are ordinarily chanted. 
What happened there? If I tell the ti-uth, it will exceed your 
powers of belief. So let it suffice to say this much at least, 
that in the temple and portico of Solomon, men rode in blood up 
to their knees and the bridle reins. Indeed it was a just and 
splendid judgment of God, that this place should be filled with 
the blood of the unbelievers, when it had suffered so long from 
their blasphemies. The city was filled with corpses and blood. 
Some of the enemy took refuge in the tower of David and pe- 
titioned Count Raymond for protection and surrendered the 
tower into his hands. 

Now that the city was taken, it was worth all our previous 
labors and hardships, to see the devotion of the pilgrims at the 
Holy Sepulchre. How they rejoiced and exulted and sang the 
niijth chant to the Lord. It was the ninth day, the ninth joy 
and exultation, and of perpetual happiness. The ninth sermon, 
the ninth chant was demanded by all. This day, I say, will be 
famous in all future ages, for it turned our labors and sorrows 
into joy and exultation; this day, I say, marks the justification 
of all Christianity and the humiliation of paganism; our faith 
was renewed. "The Lord made this day and we rejoiced and 
exulted in it," for on this day the Lord revealed Himself to 



34 The University of Texas Bulletin 

His people and blessed them. On this day the lord Adhemar. 
bishop of Puy^^ was seen in the city by many people. Many 
also testified that he was the first to scale the wall, and that he 
summoned the knights and people to follow him. . . . This 
day was the 15th of July. 

■'See note 17. 



A SPECIMEN REPORT BASED ON THE FOREGOIN(J! 
NARRATIVES 

To illustrate better the method of working out these exercises, 
topic number 3 has been outlined and then put in the form that 
a final report might have. 

1. Outline 

What changes were made in the plan of attack during the 
siege? What reasons can be found for such changes? 

I. Original location of the different leaders. 

1. On the north. 

(a) Robert of Normandy {Anonymous, p. 14; 

Raymond, p. 22). 

(b) Robert of Flanders {Raymond, p. 22; Anonymjous, 

p. 14). 
Godfrey {Raymond, p. 22). 

2. On the west. 

(a) Godfrey {Anonymoits, p. 14). 
Tancred {Anonymous, p. 14). 

(b) Raymond {Raymond, pp. 22, 23). 

II. Change of position on the north. 

1. Reasons for the change {Anonymous, p. 17; Raymond, 

p. 30; Fulk, p. 20). 

2. How the change was made {Anonymous, p. 17 ; Ray- 

mond, p. 30). 

3. Final location {Anonymous, p. 17; Raymond, p. 30). 

III. Ra^Tflond's move to Mt. Sion on the south. 

1. Reasons for this change. 

(a) The real reason {Raymond, p. 23). 

(b) The reason assigned {Raymond, p. 23). 

2. Evidence of Raymond's location on Mt. Sion {Anony- 

mous, pp. 14, 17, 18; Fulk, p. 20). 

3. Where Raymond made his final attack {Raymond, p. 33 ; 

Anonymous, pp. 17, 18; Fulk, p. 20). 



36 Tli< Uiiicersitjj of Texas Bulletin 

2. Discussion 

Apparently the crusaders were not numerous enough to be- 
siege the city on all sides, so they selected what seemed to be 
the most vulnerable places in the fortifications. Thus the city 
was attacked on two sides; on the South by Raymond of Tou- 
louse, and on the North, by the other leaders. 

Robert of Normandy first stationed himself near the old church 
of St. Stephen {Anonymous, p. 14; Raymond, p. 22). To the 
west of this position was Robert of Flanders. According to Ray- 
mond's account (p. 22), Godfrey was also on the North, but 
this may refer to the change of position that was made just 
before the final attack. The Anonymous states (p. 14) that 
Godfrey and Tancred first located their camp on the West, prob- 
ably well to the northwest. The original position of these men 
and their followers probably extended from the center of the 
northern side of the city around the corner of the West. Ray- 
mond says (pp. 22, 23) that the count of Toulouse first pitched 
his camp on the West, probably just South of Godfrey and Tan- 
cred, but the other writers make no mention of this. 

All three writers agree that this first position on the north- 
west was changed {Anonymous, p. 17; Raymond, p. 30; Fulk, p. 
20). The Saracens had so greatly strengthened the wall at this 
point, while the crusaders were constructing their machines, that 
the leaders decided that it would be better to attack in another 
place, where the defenders were not so well prepared for the de- 
fense. Raymond (p. 30) further says that the ground was more 
level at the place which was selected for the final attack. That 
this was an important consideration is shown by the difficulties 
that Raymond had in moving his machines up close to the wall 
{Anonymous, p. 18). 

The machinery, which had been constructed near the location 
of the first camp, was moved during the night. This was a diffi- 
cult piece of work, and, in the morning, the Saracens were 
greatly surprised to note that the crusaders were prepared to 
attack the wall in a new quarter and that they had moved their 
camp {Raymond, p. 30) as well as their machines. 

The new location was almost a mile from the first position of 
the army. Raymond says that the northern part of the army 



The Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 37 



• 



was located in the space between the church of St. Stephen and 
the valley of Jehosaphat, which is on the eastern side of the 
city. (See map, p. 15.) The Anonymous states (p. 17) that the 
machines and the tower were dragged to the eastern side, but 
he may mean that they were moved to the East of the firet camp. 
Our other writer, Fulk, (p. 20) says that the tower was moved 
by night and set up at a corner of the city. It would thus seem 
that the final attack of this wing of the army was made on the 
northeast corner. 

Raymond (pp. 22, 23). says that the count of Toulou>e, who 
had first established his camp on the western side of the city, 
while reconnoitering, decided that Mt. Sion was a better posi- 
tion. He decided to move his camp, but encountered opposition 
on the part of the other leaders. He made the change, but ac- 
cording to his chaplain became very unpopular because of his 
action.* (Raymond, p. 23.) 

It would seem that the real reason for this change was the ir- 
regular character of the land to the West, for a ravine would 
have made it difficult to move the siege engines close to the walls. 
However, this was not the reason that the count gave. According 
to the story of his chaplain, he was so much impressed by the 
church on Mt. Sion and its sacred associations, the he became 
much alarmed lest the Saracens should get possession of it and 
defile it. He thus tried to make out that he was really doing a 
pious act in occupying such a holy spot. (See the speech that 
Raymond puts into the mouth of the count, p. 23.) Raymond 
already had the reputation of being more or less of a hypocrite, 
for he had used the holy lance that was found at Antioch to 
further his own interests. Here again he was trying to allay 
the jealousies of the other leaders, by trying to convince them 
that he was guided solely by religious motives. It would seem 
that the other crusaders knew his methods, for eventually he 
was not able to persuade his men to follow him to the new loca- 
tion that he had selected for his camp, except by bribing them 
with money. 

Although Raymond is the only writer who says that the count 
of Toulouse first located his camp to the West of the city, there 

*This is an evidence of the fear that the other leac^ers had of 
Raymond's ambition. 



38 The Vniversity of Texas Bulletin 

is little reason to doubt tliat his final position was on Mt. Sion 
{An07iymous, p. 14, 17, 18; Fulk, p. 20). Just what part of the 
wall he attacked is more difficult to determine. 

It would seem likely that Raymond attacked the western part 
of the southern wall, or the southwest corner. However, we 
are told that the tower of David was surrendered to him and that 
"the gate at which the pilgrims had always been accustomed to 
pay tribute" Avas opened {Anonymous, p. 18). The gate by the 
tower of David, the David or Joppa gate, which opened on the 
Joppa road, from which port the pilgrims usually came. Why 
Raymond entered by this gate, may be explained by his failure to 
force an entrance through the wall, before the other division of 
the crusading army had done so at the northwest corner. More- 
over, as the gate was opened from within, Rajonond and his men 
undoubtedly gave up their efforts to force their way in at the 
place where they had l)een working, and sought an easier 
entrance through the western gate. 



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